I have attended the last three BlogPaws conferences, half of these with dogs (I brought my dogs on the last day to my first conference). I’ve learned a few things on what can make this a pleasant experience for both you and your pets.
- Is your pet healthy? Obviously, you wouldn’t bring an unhealthy pet to the conference. But is she up to date on all vaccines?
- My vet recommended a Bordetella booster for Buffy before we attended last year.
Buffy at the BlogPaws conference.
- My vet recommended a Bordetella booster for Buffy before we attended last year.
- Will the crowds and other pets stress my pet? Remember we will be in a hotel with hundreds of other people and many will have pets.
- At the first BlogPaws I attended in Nashville, I was amazed at all the dogs, cats, and even piglets that people brought. For the first two days of the conference, I did not bring my cockers, Buffy and Chipper. But on the last day, my husband couldn’t take care of them, so I brought both dogs to the conference. I knew Chipper did not like other dogs, so I kept them on a tight leash and stayed away from all other pets as much as possible. This proved challenging at times and I was happy to just get through the day without an incident. It would have been too stressful for all of us to bring them to the entire conference.
- Buffy attended last year with me. She was easy to handle and got along with most people and pets. We both enjoyed the conference, although I think all the walking around wore her out. She liked the talks best so she could rest and the vendors who gave her treats.
- Last year, my accountability partner brought her small dog. Even though she had a stroller, her dog was stressed by all the large dogs. She ended up spending a large part of the conference in her hotel room comforting her dog.
- Is your pet well trained? Will she be able to heal, leave it, and lay down calmly at your feet or on a chair?
- You may want to practice your obedience before the conference.
- For a small dog or cat, you may want to bring a pet stroller. Many attendees use one.
- What is your purpose for attending the conference? Are you there primarily to learn more about blogging? To network? To show off your pet? To meet with the exhibitors? Will you succeed at these goals better with or without your pet?
- Yes, a pet will attract people to you and are a great conversation starter, but if you think your pet will prevent you from focusing on your goals, maybe you shouldn’t bring her, or use the pet parks to give yourself some free time.
- Do you have a backup plan for your pet?
From left to right: me, Buffy and Chipper at the BlogPaws conference - Use the Pet Parks room, hotel room, crate, walks, or a partner to watch your pet. Bringing your pet with you everywhere can be an experience, especially when bringing them into the bathroom.
- BlogPaws provides a room or several for Pet Parks. Last year the rooms were divided into young dogs, small dogs, and senior dogs. I did not use them, but I visited one to check it out. The room had an attendant to monitor the dogs, plus several crates and toys. Dogs could run around or sleep in a crate.
- Will you be sharing a room? Do they have pets and will they get along?
- How will you travel with your pet to BlogPaws? Airline, driving? Except for the smallest pets you will likely have to drive there since they will be too big to put under the seat in an airline.
- I wish airlines would let me bring my dog if I bought her a seat. She’s not a therapy dog.
Here are a few tips if you bring your dog to the conference:
- Always bring water for your pet. Conferences are stuffy and my dogs always seemed to need more water.
- Often a vendor will offer collapsible pet dishes, but bring one in case they do not.
- Bring some treats and reward your pet for good behavior.
- Always carry several poop bags.
- Remember to walk your dog often, they will be nervous and being outdoors helps to calm them.
- Above all, enjoy your pet and reward them often—then they will have a great time.
I am debating about bringing Buffy, my cocker spaniel with glaucoma, to the BlogPaws conference in April. She has had temporary blindness a few times and I am told that stress may bring up her eye pressure. But sometimes it goes up when she is not under stress. It is only a matter of time before she will go completely blind according to my vet. She has already lost about 95% of her vision.
Many people have read my blogs about Buffy and she has a bit of a fan base. So I would really like to bring her. Leaving her at home with my husband may also cause her some stress, since I am her person (technically, she is my sister since I inherited her from my mom).
If I bring Buffy to the conference, this is what I plan to do:
- Buy a dog stroller to give her some measure of security. Although, she may not like it since I always walk her. She weighs about 30 pounds, so I need to get one that will fit her.
- I will not be able to keep her in a hotel room since I will probably be camping. So my backup plan is to leave her in the car for short periods if she needs a break (weather permitting – it shouldn’t be too hot in April and I’ll have a sweater for her if it is cool).
- Bring a crate to leave her at the Pet Parks if she seems stressed. I think she would feel better if she was in her own crate.
- Bring her pain medication if she gets a migraine headache from elevated eye pressure. You can read last week’s blog on an accidental overdose of her pain meds.
What are your concerns about bringing your pet to BlogPaws or a pet-friendly conference?
Do you have any other ideas on how to prevent stress for you or your pet during the conference?
I’m sure if you get a stroller for Buffy, you’ll help her transition to it, so she’ll enjoy her stroller time. Last year we brought my sister’s dogs and they seemed to have a good time. Both are really well behaved, and she acclimated her smaller dog to the stroller ahead of time. My dogs would not enjoy themselves at a conference, so if I go this year, the dogs will stay behind.
Thanks for sharing this informative and helpful article. As pet parents, making sure our pets are safe, comfortable, and happy is priority number one! I hope to get to meet you at BlogPaws this year! See you soon in KC!
This is very good information for anyone taking their pets to all sorts of outings. I see so many people at pet expo’s, dog walk events and dog parties who pay no attention to their dogs at all. It is stressful for the dogs and poor etiquette. Also makes for potentially dangerous situations. Hopefully lots of pet parents will make use of all your excellent tips.
Thank you. I hope people will think more about the consequences of bringing their pet to events.
I took my dog to the Blog Paws conference in Maryland because I could drive. I left her home when I went to Kansas. Now I have a puppy and am not willing to fly the distance with him or leave him home for this year’s event. I hope that BlogPaws will be back East soon so that we can attend together.
I brought my dog with me last conference because I was able to drive there. The conference rooms were big enough that he could come with me sometimes (if it’s too crowded, he’s anxious) and he did much better than I expected. He did though spend a lot of time in the pet park. (Enough that Atlantic Pet Sitters gave him a shout out on FB).
Good point about whether or not your pet will distract from your intent. At times, I found it hard to ‘network’ with people because they were too focused on their pets.
I’ve probably been one of those distracted networkers! A lot does depend on the venue. The vendor area in Nashville was very crowded and I didn’t take my dogs in there, while in Myrtle Beach it was very spacious.
These are great questions to ask yourself and prepare for BlogPaws (or any pet friendly event). Great list. I hope Buffy is able to make it but if she has to stay behind for her own health and comfort , it’s best. Enjoy the conference. I won’t be there as I hoped but will be following along online. Safe travels next month!
Thank you. Hopefully, we’ll see you next year at BlogPaws.
I too started at Nashville but I could not bring Kilo the Pug from Canada. He would hate it as he gets stressed with anything or anyone outside his space. I miss him but I have to think of him. I bring flat Kilo.
I forgot about bringing a flat animal or a stuffed one – good point!
Fantastic points and although I am not going to the conference I have taken Layla to different dog events when I worked which are chaotic with people and pets. What I found worked for her was a pet carrier she could lie in and to keep her calm gave her some CBD oil. Of course water and bowls plus treats were there for her too.
I forgot about the CBD treats! Last year the Treatibles vendor gave me several for Buffy and they helped.
Always have to consider how the pet is going to feel about things. Some love events, some like it calm.
So informative and helpful! This really helped solidify my decision not to bring any pets this year. I have four pets and there are different reasons for each one as to why I would not bring them but mostly, above all else I really need my full focus to be on the conference this year. I think it would be unfair to my pets to bring them and unfair to me as well honestly. This was really quite helpful. I feel great about my decision now! Thank you!
I’m glad this post helped. Yes, sometimes our pets prevent us from reaching our goals because they have needs or unexpected issues. Someone mentioned bringing a flat cutout of your pet or a stuffed one. These make good talking points while not being a distraction – and you can leave them in your room!
I know my BFF, Herman, has attended BlogPaws before. But Herman is cool with stranger peeps and stuff. Me… Not so much. Yeah, I’d be stuck in my hotel room with the peep. Of course, if room service offers fresh salmon filets with creamy nip sauce, that might be okay. purrs
I like that you note that while the dogs are a good conversation starter, you may feel that they are also a distraction. This is so my issue. That, and none of the conferences have been in driving distance for us yet. Gonzo in particular is very dog friendly but also very much a hunting dog by instinct. So I would know he’d be okay with the other dogs but he’d definitely be a little squiffy around the other animals, needing my full attention. It’d make it hard to socialize myself and learn in the sessions.
I found the sessions the easiest part since my dog would just fall asleep. It was walking in the hallways, the bathrooms and visiting the vendors that were sometimes challenging when my smallish (30 pound) dog was in a crowded area.
These are some great tips for people bringing their pets to BlogPaws. Last year there were a few “incidents” that probably could have been avoided. I’m looking forward to seeing more pets this year.
It sounds like you have a good plan if you do bring Buffy. You don’t want to disappoint her fans! But whatever decision you make, I know it will be with Buffy’s best interest in mind.
I may not know fully until the last minute depending on if her glaucoma is acting up. But at this point, I plan to bring her.
Also … pheromones! Some amazing dog (and cat) pheromone sprays that really help pets relax and not be stressed. Our vet defuses it in her observation rooms. It’s amazing.
I didn’t know about these sprays. Do you have a brand or a website so I can learn more?
This is the first time I’ve seen this discussed on a blog. BRAVO! I’ve always had concerns about the animal companions attending conferences. Some do spectacularly well, but others do not and their human “parents” aren’t always as savvy as you. Thank you for sharing these tips and honest feedback. I hope everyone planning to attend the conference reads this first–and makes sure the pets’ feelings come first.
Thank you, Amy! I actually sent it in for the BlogPaws post and never heard back. I thought maybe they didn’t think it was an appropriate topic. It would be good if more people attending thought of all the pros and cons before bringing their pets.